Loggin Boy, The S14 is a old Garden Tractor but is a well made heavy Tractor. The 14 kohler is a strong engine if It was well taken care of, If it smoke then it mite need to be rebuilt and that would cost a few bucks, but if you can do it your self then it will save you some money. the Ariens S and the GT are the same Tractor, with the only differanct is the GT is newer and has a steel seat pan. and the S is fiber glass James

Let me know, if you need rebuild kit for the engine. I stip the engine down to valves and balance gears, take it to the machine shp, they charge no more than a 75.00 if they have to bore it and turn the crank, plus they acid dip it and clean up the head, the rebuild kits will run between 100 to 150.00 with ALL new parts, including valves, so around 200 bucks if you can turn the wrenches. These engines lasted over 2o years the last time around, they can last that long again if done right, just use all new parts, if you have to bore it, bore it, if the crank is worn turn it, no sense doing the work and doing it right. I have 2 Ariens, both around 1979-1980 models a GT14H and aGT18H, I gave 700 for the pair, but I really think I stole them,no one down here knows the difference between a GT and a LT. For 900 it should be in very good shape and maybe a front blade, have you tried to dicker with guy? Bottom line, if you like it, you can afford it, and you want it, then buy it. That's what I do.